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Malaysian Support Vessel Transits Strait of Hormuz
A support vessel owned by Malaysian firm Vantris Energy successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, the fourth Malaysian-linked ship to do so since the US-Iran conflict began in late February. The transit follows diplomatic talks that secured Iranian permission for select Malaysian vessels to pass through the restricted waterway.
May 15, 8:55 AM·1m read1 source
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A support vessel owned by Malaysian firm Vantris Energy, formerly known as Sapura Energy, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, according to LSEG shipping data reported on Friday. The ship traveled close to the Iranian coastline before heading to Oman's Muscat port.
The transit marks the fourth Malaysian-linked ship to navigate the waterway since the US-Iran conflict began in late February. The conflict has severely restricted passage and impacted global energy supplies. The vessel was one of seven for which the Malaysian government sought Iranian permission to clear the strait, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Malaysian officials announced in March that Iran would allow Malaysian vessels passage after diplomatic talks.
A Liberian-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier exited the strait on 10 April after loading crude from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in early March. That tanker discharged its cargo at Malaysia's Malacca port on 30 April. Another VLCC loaded with Iraqi crude and chartered by a unit of state energy firm Petronas passed through the strait on April 5.
It discharged its cargo of 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude at Malaysia's Pengerang on April 18. A third vessel carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas and managed by a unit of shipping giant MISC Berhad transited the waterway on Tuesday. It became the second such cargo to cross under an arrangement involving Iran and Pakistan.
Two other MISC ships remain stuck in the Gulf, according to sources and shipping data. The company had sought clearance for vessels from Vantris Energy, MISC Berhad and state energy firm Petronas. The successful transits demonstrate that limited commercial shipping continues through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing restrictions tied to the regional conflict.
